Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the essential tool for understanding how people interact with your website. By tracking where your visitors come from and what they do on your site, you can make informed decisions to grow your Brisbane business and ensure your marketing budget is being spent effectively.
Why GA4 Matters for Your Business
In the modern digital landscape, guessing doesn't cut it. GA4 allows you to see exactly which marketing channels—be it Google Ads, organic search, or social media—are driving enquiries and sales. For Australian small businesses, this data is the difference between wasting money on ineffective ads and scaling a successful campaign.---
Prerequisites: What You’ll Need
Before you start, ensure you have the following ready:- A Google Account: Preferably a business email linked to Google (like your Google Workspace account).
- Website Access: You’ll need administrative access to your website's backend (e.g., WordPress, Shopify) or your Google Tag Manager container.
- Your ABN (Optional): While not strictly required for GA4, it’s good practice to have your business details handy if you plan to link this to a Google Ads account later.
---
Step 1: Create a Google Analytics Account
If you don't already have an account, head to analytics.google.com.- Click 'Start measuring'.
- Account Name: Enter your business name (e.g., "Local Marketing Group").
- Data Sharing Settings: Review these and keep the recommended boxes ticked to help Google improve its services.
- Click Next.
Screenshot Description: You should see a simple form with a progress bar at the top indicating you are in the 'Account creation' phase.
Step 2: Set Up Your GA4 Property
A 'Property' represents your website's data.- Property Name: Enter your website name (e.g., "LMG Main Website").
- Reporting Time Zone: Select Australia and your specific city (e.g., Brisbane or Sydney). This is crucial so your data aligns with your local business hours.
- Currency: Select Australian Dollar (AUD). This ensures any e-commerce data or ad spend is reflected accurately.
- Click Next.
Step 3: Business Details and Objectives
Google will ask about your industry and business size.- Select your industry (e.g., 'Business & Industrial' or 'Home & Garden').
- Choose your business size.
- Select your objectives. We recommend choosing 'Generate leads' or 'Drive online sales' depending on your business model.
- Click Create and accept the Google Analytics Terms of Service (ensure the country selector is set to Australia).
Step 4: Set Up a Data Stream
Now you need to tell Google where the data is coming from.- Select 'Web' as your platform.
- Website URL: Enter your domain (e.g.,
www.yourbusiness.com.au). - Stream Name: Usually the same as your website name.
- Enhanced Measurement: Ensure this is toggled ON. This automatically tracks scrolls, outbound clicks, and site searches without extra coding.
- Click Create stream.
Step 5: Locate Your Measurement ID
Once the stream is created, a 'Web stream details' window will open.- Look for the Measurement ID in the top right corner. It starts with
G-followed by letters and numbers. - Copy this ID. You will need it for the installation phase.
Screenshot Description: A panel showing your Stream ID and Measurement ID. There is a large 'Copy' icon next to the G-XXXXXXX code.
Step 6: Install the Tracking Code via WordPress
If you use WordPress (the most common platform for Aussie small businesses), the easiest way is using a plugin like 'Site Kit by Google' or 'WPCode'.- Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to Plugins > Add New and search for 'Site Kit by Google'.
- Install and Activate.
- Follow the setup wizard. It will ask you to sign in with your Google account and will automatically link your GA4 property without you needing to paste any code manually.
Step 7: Manual Installation (The Alternative Way)
If you aren't using WordPress or prefer not to use a plugin:- In the GA4 'Web stream details' page, click 'View tag instructions'.
- Select 'Install manually'.
- Copy the Javascript code provided (the Google Tag).
- Paste this code into the
section of every page on your website. Most website builders (Wix, Squarespace) have a 'Custom Code' or 'Header' section in their settings for this.
Step 8: Verify the Installation
It can take up to 24 hours for data to populate fully, but you can check if it's working instantly.- Go back to your GA4 home screen.
- Click on 'Reports' (the chart icon) and then 'Real-time'.
- Open your website in a new 'Incognito' or 'Private' browser window.
- Browse a few pages on your site.
- Check the Real-time report in GA4. You should see a '1' appear on the map (hopefully over Australia!).
---
Pro Tips for Better Tracking
- Filter out your own visits: You don't want your own clicks to skew your data. Go to Admin > Data Streams > [Your Stream] > Configure Tag Settings > Show all > Define internal traffic to exclude your office IP address.
- Link Google Search Console: This allows you to see what keywords people typed into Google to find your Brisbane business directly inside your Analytics reports.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Double Tagging: If you previously had Universal Analytics (the old version) and you add GA4, make sure you don't accidentally load the GA4 code twice, which can duplicate your data.
- Wrong Time Zone: If you leave the time zone as 'United States', your reports will look like your customers are visiting your site at 3:00 AM instead of midday.
- Ignoring Privacy: Ensure your website's Privacy Policy is updated to mention that you use Google Analytics, as per Australian privacy guidelines.
---
Troubleshooting
- "No data received in 48 hours": Check if a caching plugin (like WP Rocket) is preventing the code from appearing. Clear your website cache.
- Real-time report is empty: Check if you have an AdBlocker enabled in your browser. These often block Google Analytics tracking.
- The code is showing as text on the website: This happens if you paste the code into a visual editor instead of the 'HTML' or 'Header' section of your site.
---
Next Steps
Now that your tracking is live, the real fun begins. Your next steps should be:- Set up Conversions: Tell GA4 what a 'win' looks like (e.g., a contact form submission).
- Create a Weekly Report: Set up an automated email so you can see your performance every Monday morning.
Need a hand getting your tracking set up perfectly? The team at Local Marketing Group is here to help Brisbane businesses master their data. Contact us today to book an analytics audit.